clapped back; clapping back; claps back
US, informal
: to respond quickly and sharply to criticism
A lot of times when someone says something nasty to you online, your gut reaction is to clap back right away. It's always good to take a cooling-off period—I recommend sleeping on it.—
Patrick Crowley
Patrick CrowleyThis week, Mandy Moore clapped back at haters on Instagram after people accused her of Photoshopping her social media photos … "I am 5'10 and a size 6. I have NEVER photoshopped pictures … That's not what I'm about. If you're going to be rude about people's bodies, go elsewhere."—Kitty Lindsay
Kitty Lindsay
clap·back
ˈklap-ˌbak 
variants
or less commonly clap back
plural clapbacks also clap backs
US, informal
: a quick, sharp, and effective response to criticism
Not to be confused with a garden-variety diss, a clapback is deemed by most as a targeted, often viciously acute comeback intended to place someone in much-needed check.—Aaron Edwards and Ira Madison III
Aaron Edwards and Ira Madison IIIWe all love a good clapback. It's a comeback but with that extra oomph.—Mathew Rodriguez
Mathew RodriguezThe art of the clap back is a study in discernment, wit, and instinct, which is why it should come as no surprise that Rihanna, Internet queen, is the reigning champ of shutting down the haters.—Cady Lang
Cady LangExamples of clap back in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Thomas Smith, Billboard, 23 Sep. 2024
The country singer, 27, clapped back at a TikTok video criticizing her hairstyle at the 2024 CMA Awards.
—Catherine Santino, People.com, 21 Nov. 2024
Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2024
Still, this clapback hasn’t stopped fans from making comments about Cardi B’s plastic surgery experiences.
—Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 5 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clap back 
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Verb
The praise is at odds with Liam Gallagher’s feelings on the band, who clapped back at the band following an interview where Fontaines said that the Oasis reunion didn’t excite them.
—Thomas Smith, Billboard, 23 Sep. 2024
The country singer, 27, clapped back at a TikTok video criticizing her hairstyle at the 2024 CMA Awards.
—Catherine Santino, People.com, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
Carly Pearce is fast becoming country music’s queen of the clapback.
—Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2024
Still, this clapback hasn’t stopped fans from making comments about Cardi B’s plastic surgery experiences.
—Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 5 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clap back
Dictionary Entries Near clap back
Cite this Entry
“Clap back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clap%20back. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.
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